March 10, 2014There isn't really anything to say about The Shining that hasn't already been said. It is a classic among suspenseful horror movies (and movies in general, for that matter). Based on the Stephen King novel, The Shining is a brilliantly crafted thriller with unforgettable performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. When Jack Torrance (Nicholson) takes a job as a caretaker for the Overlook Hotel during the winter season when the hotel is closed, he thinks it will be the perfect opportunity to finish the book he has been writing. His wife, Wendy (Duvall), and their young son, Danny, also come along to live at the hotel for the next several months. As time goes on, the silence and isolation seem to take their toll on Jack, and he slips further and further into madness, to the point where he tries to murder his whole family. Oh, and the hotel is haunted, and Danny has some telekinetic powers (referred to as The Shine). The ending leaves some unanswered questions, but the film remains one of the greatest horror films of all time. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and... never mind. If you're reading this, you've seen The Shining.
If you're in the mood to watch some OCD Aspies go on for almost 2 hours about their pet obsession, "Room 237" is an in depth examination of layers of significance about every little detail of "The Shining". Granted, Kubrick was certainly fond of subtext and, by all reports, somewhat OCD himself. But, most of the "startling revelations" in "Room 237" are easily understood by anyone familiar with the logistical exigencies of film making. It's far more fascinating as a look at obsession and borderline mental illness.
ReplyDeleteI've actually been wanting to see that! I keep seeing it pop up on Netflix, but I haven't given it a chance yet. I'll check it out though.
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